Winter storm could reach DeKalb tonight

A Lenexa Police vehicle stops to aid motorists stuck on a ramp to I-35 in Lenexa, Kan., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. The Kansas Turnpike Authority encouraged drivers to stay off the turnpike entirely; it runs from Oklahoma to Kansas City. There was virtually zero visibility on the turnpike early Thursday. And I-70 and other major highways in Kansas were snowpacked and icy, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback closed executive offices, except for essential personnel. He urged residents to have an extra cup of coffee, get out a board game and play with their children. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Turner, owner of Kelly & Dan's Lawn Care and Snow Removal in DeKalb, was preparing his equipment and crew Thursday for up to 5 inches of snow expected to fall overnight in the area. After a relatively mild winter, Turner said he would not mind the late-night shift.

"I'm pretty well set, but it's sure nice to have that little extra income," Turner said of sporadic winter work. "If it snows, I got work. If it doesn't, I don't, but I'm not out anything."

Chances are Turner will find some work late today into Friday as a severe snowstorm that will dump more than a foot of snow in some Midwestern states is expected to taper off as it enters Illinois. DeKalb County is under a winter weather advisory that begins tonight at 8 and continues through 6 p.m. Friday. Northern Illinois University meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste said he expected about 5 inches of snow by early Friday, potentially the highest snowfall total of the winter.

DeKalb received 4.2 inches of snow on Feb. 7.

"This will not be the blizzard of 2011," Sebenste said. "But it will create some slippery and icy conditions."

The wintry conditions are not expected to end in the morning, Sebenste said. DeKalb-area residents can expect a freezing rain drizzle throughout Friday and light snow between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Sebenste said the next storm is expected on Monday or Tuesday, but it is still too early to tell if it will be freezing rain or snow.

T.J. Moore, director of public works for DeKalb, said the department had been tracking Thursday's storm for weeks and was relieved forecasts changed from a foot of snow to the 3- to 5-inch range. The expected freezing rain at the tail end of the storm was a concern, Moore said, because it could freeze over storm inlets and cause flooding.

"We're trying to be prepared as we can be to handle all the slushing we expect," Moore said. "We're ready for all eventualities."